Entertainment

[Wild Wednesday] Bill Nye the ‘Emoji’ Guy?!

I’m pretty sure many of you remember learning your first science lesson with neighborhood friendly scientist, Bill Nye the Science Guy! In many ways, he opened our eyes to the world of science and made it seem cool and fun, (that is until we got to school and realized it wasn’t as easy or fun as it looks on tv.)

Anyway, Bill Nye is back again to shed some knowledge on us good folk, and this time he has some of the most familiar faces along with him. In this video, Bill Nye uses Emojis to explain the Theory of Evolution and it’s actually pretty dope.

THESE 7 DETAILS WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK OF YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONGS

December wouldn’t be complete without the twinkle of light from all the decorated homes and trees, the scent of eggnog brewing on the stove, and of course those soothing holiday tunes that make you laugh, cry and feel all warm inside. No matter how you celebrate the holidays, you can bet that you’ll hear these songs playing everywhere you go. From the mall, to the office, to the car radio, it’s just something you can’t escape and have (hopefully) learned to love. Many holiday songs are festive, others have spiritual overtones, and some have been out for so long that the original meaning of the song has been lost in translation.

However there are some interesting facts about the creation of many popular holiday songs that we bet you didn’t know.

So throw a log in the fireplace, sit back, and enjoy as we help you better understand the songs…

[TRENDING] DOES NICKI MINAJ KISS AND TELL? FIND OUT IN LATEST SINGLE “ONLY”

Does Nicki Minaj Kiss and Tell? She Let’s Loose on Latest Single and This Time She’s Dropping Names.

Although Nicki Minaj has delayed the debut of her next album, The Pinkprint, she has left her fans with something to hold them, over until then.

She released her latest single, Only, featuring fellow Young Money megastars Drake and Lil Wayne, and a shocking appearance by Chris Brown. Brown and Drake have been in multiple scuffles together but it seems it’s all water under the bridge now.

“Yo, I never f**ed Wayne, I never f**ked Drake. On my life, man, f**ks sake.” On the track, Nicki wastes no time getting down and dirty, revealing who she has and has not had sex with.

Drake and Wayne confirm Minaj’s side of the story but reveal that they would love to jump in bed with her, given the…

[TRENDING] FLOTUS TURNS UP FOR WHAT??? (VIDEO)

The First Lady, Michelle Obama is serious about the get fit life. As part of her Let’s Move campaign for healthier lifestyles, she has been interacting with citizens through social media, giving advice on better eating habits. One of the questions she received, prompted this hilarious response. Check it out in the video clip below.

“The MGM project begins with Washington’s character dressing for her wedding and ends on her making her way towards the altar where her groom awaits. Who is at the end of the aisle will remain a mystery as the movie flashes back to three separate relationships that the lead character has had.”

No word on when filming begins, but Is He The One is Washington’s first film since her supporting role in 2012’s Django Unchained.

[TRENDING TUESDAY] UTAH JAZZ SIGN 5 YEAR OLD JP GIBSON (VIDEO)

The Utah Jazz signed 5-year old, free agent, JP Gibson, to a one-day contract for a special scrimmage on Monday night.

Gibson, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2012, joined the team in uniform for the annual preseason team scrimmage. As a part of the “Anything Can Be” project for children with cancer, hosted by the Jazz and photographer Jon Diaz, JP Gibson received a picture book with his dreams and wishes… One of which was to play professional basketball.

JP, wearing a No. 1 jersey, even got to play in the scrimmage. He was passed the ball and dribbled into the lane, where center Rudy Gobert lifted him up so he could dunk and slap hands with some players as fans roared.

[WILD WEDNESDAY] PORN STAR FEATURED ON TEXTBOOK COVER BY ACCIDENT

A math textbook made for Thai college students is be retracted from the market after it was discovered that the woman on the cover is a Japanese porn star.

Japanese porn actress Mana Aokigraces the cover of the book entitled “Basic Mathematics,” as a professional looking young school teacher.

The publisher, MuangThai Book Center, retrieved the photo from Google Images. However they did not realize the model was a porn actress and that the picture was actually a part of a photo set promoting an adult video entitled “Costume Play Working Girl.”

I guess it’s true what they say – in the internet age, you should be careful about what kind of porn you make, because the photos might end up in a math textbook one day.

[TRENDING TUESDAY] TODDLER FREAKS OUT DURING GAME OF PEAKABOO

In the most dramatic game of Peak A Booever, one toddler learned, the hard way, that the game does not always end well.

In a YouTube video, father Bradley Bailey begins a game of Peak A Boo with his young girl, while his wife tapes their cute interactions.

Then Bailey steps away and secretly shaves his beard. He comes back for another round of Peak A Boo, but when the tot lifts up the towel this time, she finds a barefaced man she doesn’t seem to recognize. She freezes with a stunned looked like “Who the heck is this guy?” before she starts wailing.

Well, kid, beard or no beard, that’s your father.

Some say it should be a crime to trick such a cute kid this way, but the real crime was shooting the video vertically.

[TRENDING TUESDAY] RAY RICE’S WIFE JANAY FIRES BACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Janay Rice, wife of former Baltimore Ravens running back, Ray Rice, fired back on social media after video surfaced of the couples domestic violence incident.

Yesterday morning, TMZ released the video, that took place earlier this year, of Ray punching Janay and knocking her out in an elevator. Hours later, the Baltimore Ravens announced that they were terminating Rice’s contract and that he was suspended indefinitely.

The media went into a frenzy at the sight of the domestic incident. However Janay Rice stood by her man and made a statement on social media:

Earlier this year, only a partial clip of the incident was released. It showed Ray Rice dragging his then fiancé Janay out of an elevator. Ray Rice had made a public apology and Janay even admitted to her part in the argument. He was sentenced to two weeks suspension and later returned to the team.

[WILD WEDNESDAY] FIRE CHALLENGE GONE WRONG

It’s 2014, and we’ve had our share of adventurous challenges and trends. Remember when planking on the highest, tallest piece of furniture was a thing? Or trying to swallow a tablespoon of cinnamon without gagging during the Cinnamon Challenge.

Well it seems as people complete these challenges, newer and more dangerous ones begin to form. The latest, The Fire Challenge, in which someone applies a small amount of flammable liquid to the skin, such as alcohol or perfume, set themselves on fire, and see how long they can last before needing to put it out.

What the %+*# ??? (insert your own 4 letter obscenity)

It’s horrifying that anyone would want to do this. Either our society is getting bolder or dumber. The sad part is that misguided youths are attempting this challenge, risking the chance of or actually getting severely injured.

Sources say the fight erupted when Benzino joked about Stevie J and Joseline being crackheads. Stevie jumped up to defend himself, but was intercepted by security. That’s when the Puerto Rican Princess Joseline took it upon herself to attack Althea.

Then all hell broke lose. One fight sparked the next and security couldn’t keep up.

[FASHION] BET AWARDS 2014

Social media networks went on a frenzy last night as everyone watched and of course critiqued the 2014 BET Awards. One of the most talked about aspect of awards shows is the fashion. The red carpet transforms into a runway and celebrities must be on their A game to make it out intact.

White gowns were popular on the runway last night, as seen by Ashanti, Amber Rose, Gabrielle Union,and more. I guess the start of summer has everyone ready to show off in their bright white.

And I wonder if Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and August Alsina had the same stylist. The trio all sported red and black plaid lumberjack shirts throughout the night. The only problem with these shirts was that they were too long. They seemed more like dresses than shirts.

Now I must applaud the tweeters and instagramers for wasting NO TIME in getting the…

[TRENDING] KIM & KANYE OFFICIAL WEDDING PHOTOS

The couple tied the knot over the weekend at the Belvedere Fort in Florence, Italy. Kim showed off her ravishing curves in a lace Givenchy gown. And the pair displayed their love with kisses in a photo booth at the reception.

Celebrities from all calibers were in attendance from John Legend to Anna Wintour. However it seems like celebrity power couple Beyonce and Jay Z missed the festivities and Kim’s brother Rob Kardashian seemed to be M.I.A as well.

Kim and Kanye started their honeymoon, without precious baby North, in the village of Castlemartyr in Cork, Ireland.

This is the third marriage for Kim and the first for Kanye. Wish them the best of luck!

HOSTING WITH THE PAP GAWD

Hosting w/ the “Pap Gawd”​
Posted on Tha L Spot on May 22, 2013

Getting on stage and commanding a crowd can be one of the most nerve wrecking and challenging things to do in life, especially if your crowd is made up of tough, no BS taking New Yorkers. However, with a fun, outgoing personality, and the ability to make people laugh, it may come natural to you. At least it did for host Trey “Pap Gawd”.
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“I’ve always been loud and outgoing,” said Trey. He began hosting in college, when his school was in need of a host for a step show. With success in keeping the audience happy and engaged, Trey decided to pursue his hosting ability. Since then, word has spread about his talents and he’s been booking shows all around the New York City Area. You may have seen him at events such as The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival, Stony Brook’s Homecoming Step Show, Battle of Sparta Greek Basketball Tournament, SUNY Brockport Fashion Show, and St. John’s Spring Concert.
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“So many people have eyes on you,” Trey expressed, “It’s my job to keep their attention for the next couple hours.” By staying up-to-date with the current news, topics and trends, he is able to connect and interact with any audience. Not only does he have a big voice on stage. he makes big statements on social media networks as well. Going by the twitter handle “@ISwearIAintHit,” Trey uses his social media presence​ to entertain followers, stay up on the latest happenings, and promote his brand. He also credits Twitter as “something to refer to” when hosting and telling jokes.
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Aside from hosting events, Trey also writes music and poetry, dances, steps with the NYC A Team, and coordinates the website TheShopBlog.net. He uses his talent from all activities to improve his overall stage performance.
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“I always go back to see what I could have done better,” said Trey, “I don’t want to be stagnate.” By taking note of his performance as well the success of other great hosts, Trey continues to better his craft and brand. He strives to become the most popular host in New York and eventually make a career out of it.
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“Once I’m on stage, I have a whole different mind-set,” said Trey. No matter what kind of day he is having, he expressed that once he hits that stage, he makes sure everyone has a good show. By just being himself, and having fun, Trey is able to give an experience any audience will enjoy.
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For bookings, please contact Tremont.A.Poole@gmail.com.
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THA L SPOT CHATS WITH UNIMIX FILMS

Independent film maker Patrick Ulysse, is in the process of producing his second film “Forever Yours”, a romantic comedy about a soccer coach and a choreographer who fall in love but let past decisions and personal relationship challenges hinder them from being together. However, their passion for the teens at the community center they work at allow them to realize the strength in their love and relationship.

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Interested in films since his early teen years, Patrick always felt that his life would involve film making. His interest in films catalyzed after being interviewed on Haitian National Television during his track meet. “I followed the crew around as they interviewed other people and seeing the final product on TV totally got me hooked,” said Patrick. He continued to pursue an associate degree in Video Production at Borough of Manhattan Community College, a Bachelor’s of Arts degree at Brooklyn College, and received special training at New York University. After finishing his education, Patrick wanted an outlet in which he could continue to sharpen his skills as a cinematographer. He decided to start a production company and became the CEO of UniMix Films, which focuses on both video and film. Patrick directed and produced his first film, “One More Try” released in 2006. He is also credited for his work on the award winning shows “Law & Order: SVU”, “Secrets of New York” and “Sex and the City.”

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Patrick came up with the concept of “Forever Yours” through experiences in his life and his surrounding environments. People often joke with him and ask if the script is based more on personal experience, considering his wife, Jessica Ulysse, is in fact a choreographer. Although that would make for a cute story, the answer is no. The couple met during the pre-production point of the film’s progress and the script was already written. However, Jessica does play a big role in the production of this film.

As a graduate of Lehman College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mass Communications and Dance, Jessica furthered her dance education at the Alvin Ailey School. She is the artistic director and choreographer for KaNu Dance Theater and co-owner of Danse Xpressions dance studio in Long Island.

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For the film, my job required me wearing many hats,” said Jessica. Her official titles are choreographer, instructor, and assistant director of all dance scenes. Jessica explained how after reading the script she had to create the dance pieces for various scenes, selected the wardrobe and assisted with the set design. She also had to get accustomed to choreographing for film, which differs from choreographing for a stage performance. “There are several takes, so, there are many chances to get it right,” said Jessica, “With Most stage performances you only get one chance.”

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There is a stigma that doing business with your significant other can cause conflict in the business and in the relationship. Patrick and Jessica each explained how they avoid conflict and how doing business together actually helps their relationship. “When working together, I have to look at my husband as another fellow artist that I am collaborating with and take his ideas in objectively,” said Jessica. She explained how they make sure to listen to each others’ ideas, contemplate the pros and cons, and eventually compromise with each other. For the film, she had to realize that he is the director and in the end it is about his vision.

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“We bump heads but we try to always keep the big picture in mind,” said Patrick, “if need be, we agree to disagree.”

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Both being independent artists, the couple shares the love of creating works of art for the pleasure of others and are very supportive of each other and their projects. “As an artist, you need to know your significant other has your back,” said Patrick. “Her support keeps my creative juice flowing.”

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“I believe that spousal support can make or break your marriage as well as make or break your success as an artist,” said Jessica. Although, their individual projects may sometimes require a lot of attention, they understand spousal support is crucial in any marriage, however, they are blessed to have another artist by their side that understands and shares the passion for the arts.

THA L SPOT MAKEOVER!

After one year of success blogging and networking, Tha L Spot has rebranded itself into a fresh new company. Now extending services in public relations, Tha L Spot offers independent artists an outlet to be recognized.

Founder Jessica Lanice, along with new members Jessica Rae, Justin Thomas, and myself have all contributed to the rebranding of the site in order to further serve you guys.

LIVE WIRE RISING STAR CONCERT SERIES

Tha L Spots gets you behind the scenes and on stage at the Live Wire Concert at Iguanas Lounge in NYC on December 22nd 2012.

The Live Wire Concert Series, started as an outlet for underground artists to expose themselves through performances. Tha L Spot speaks with Live Wire Concert Series hosts Joe Swagg and Raleena, as they explain the concert series’s success and their future endeavors.

Diomara Delvalle, a Pop/ R&B artisit from Long Island, gave the audience a sneak peak of what they should expect in her upcoming EP, Black Pearls, scheduled for release sometime this year. Diomara gave Tha L Spot the scoop on Black Pearls, as well as her other projects and how she got started in the music industry. Take a Look!

Rapper DubWork, hailing from New Jersey, performed some of his latest work at the concert and spoke with Tha L Spot about the mixtape he is working on, entitled Dream Chasers. Check out the interview here, and to see Dubwork’s performance, .

THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

Millions of people lined the streets of Manhattan this morning to experience the 86th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. With Mother Nature’s cooperation, the tolerable weather conditions allowed for people from all over the world to attend this traditional New York event.

The excitement for this parade could not go unnoticed. You could see families with their faces pressed against the windows of buildings looking down on the parade route and children posted on the shoulders of family members standing in the street. One out-of-state attendee even referred to the parade as “The number one thing on my bucket list.” (Interview 1)

With over 150 dancers, 12 marching bands and hundreds of volunteers, the streets filled with colorful costumes, floats and balloons. Kermit the Frog, Charlie Brown and Sonic the Hedgehog balloons made their expected appearance down the parade routes, exciting those of all ages. However, many people awaited the arrival of this year’s newest balloon additions, Hello Kitty (2nd edition), Papa Smurf, and Elf on a Shelf.

Taking a new route, the parade started on 77th Street and Central Park West. The parade then traveled through Columbus Circle and turned on Central Park South. It then made it’s way onto Sixth Avenue toward 59th Street. The parade’s final path lead down 34th street and concluded at Macy’s Herald Square. The parade’s new route, allowed for the elimination traffic from Broadway and Times Square. Standing on West 65th street and Central Park West, I was able to get a clear view of all the floats, balloons, marching bands, and dancers.

Last but not least, Santa Clause made his grand entrance on his bright sled full of goodies. Although his arrival marked the end of the parade, it sparked the start of the Holiday Season. And on that note, it is now safe to play Christmas music.